NO PRETENSE WHEN IT'S THE BENTLEYS.Byline: Fred Shuster Music Writer There's more to Valley indie rock Indie rock is a genre of alternative rock that primarily exists in the independent underground music scene. The term is sometimes used interchangeably with underground music as a whole, though more specifically implicates that the music meets the criterion of being rock, as than punk, ska and nu-metal. While those genres are well represented in the area's clubs and rehearsal rooms, a lively pack of forward-thinking new bands are busy making themselves heard. Among the better ones is the Bentleys, a quartet that came together five years ago in San Fernando San Fernando, city, Argentina San Fernando (săn fərnăn`dō), city (1991 pop. 144,761), Buenos Aires prov., E Argentina. It is a district administrative center in the Greater Buenos Aires area. to play original powerpop influenced by Britpop faves like Blur and Supergrass supergrass Noun Brit, Austral & NZ an informer who names a large number of people as terrorists or criminals, esp. one who gives this information in order to avoid being put on trial Noun 1. . The band has just issued a new EP, ``Mid-Flight Rock,'' boasts a well-traveled MySpace page, and is gigging tonight in an all-ages show at the Knitting Factory's AlterKnit Lounge with local indie comrades Wake Up Incinerate in·cin·er·ate v. in·cin·er·at·ed, in·cin·er·at·ing, in·cin·er·ates v.tr. To cause to burn to ashes. v.intr. To burn completely. , Tremellow and Lonely Astromen (fronted by Eric Suazo, the younger brother Wiki is aware of the following uses of "'Younger Brother":
Ron Thomas Suazo, the Bentleys' rhythm guitarist, singer and co-writer, says that while there's a thriving homegrown alternative music scene, Valley music sometimes meets resistance in fashion-dominated enclaves like Silver Lake. ``The Sunset Strip The Sunset Strip is the name given to the mile and a half stretch of Sunset Boulevard that passes through West Hollywood, California. It extends from West Hollywood's east border with Hollywood at Marmont Lane to its west border with Beverly Hills at Phyllis street. is awful; it's cheesy cheesy (che´ze) caseous. and stuck in nu-metal,'' said Suazo, 24, a CSUN CSUN California State University Northridge journalism major who works as a teaching assistant at an elementary school in Sylmar. ``Silver Lake is cool but really elitist e·lit·ism or é·lit·ism n. 1. The belief that certain persons or members of certain classes or groups deserve favored treatment by virtue of their perceived superiority, as in intellect, social status, or financial resources. and the flavors change every other year. We played there a few times and, after a couple of shows, we got the message that we're too this or too that. It seems like they're just being pretentious on purpose; it's like they have a meeting and say, `This year, we're all about shoegaze,' or, `Now we're all about '80s.' '' While the Bentleys -- which also include lead guitarist Dennis Benjamin Ibon, bassist Andrew Gonzalez and drummer Chris Moore -- wear their Beatles and Kinks influences in such original songs as ``Some Sad Songs'' and ``Ghosts Like Us,'' the other Valley acts at the AlterKnit Lounge tonight draw on vastly different artists such as Sonic Youth, Mars Volta, Wilco and even Johnny Cash for inspiration. So much for the myth that the only things happening in the 818 area code are Linkin Park clones and No Doubt tribute acts. ``It's important for us to play all-ages shows,'' says Gonzalez, 23. ``The Valley doesn't offer a lot of places for kids under 21, which is a problem since most of our fans are under 21. So, that's a nice thing about the AlterKnit -- everyone can come and have a good time.'' After tonight's event, the Bentleys appear Nov. 5 at All Star Lanes in Eagle Rock. Asked to list his favorite clubs, Thomas names the Scene in Glendale, Safari Sam's in Hollywood and the Echo in Silver Lake. ``To me, music is the ultimate,'' the guitarist says. ``That's what I love. If I had a choice, and God said, `What do you want to be -- a rock star or a music journalist?' I'd pick rock star, but one with integrity. ``I don't ever want to sell out and be remembered for a year or two and then fall into obscurity. Our goal is to play places like the Troubadour troubadour One of a class of lyric poets and poet-musicians, often of knightly rank, that flourished from the 11th through the 13th century, chiefly in Provence and other regions of southern France, northern Spain, and northern Italy. and pack it every time. That would make us happy.'' Fred Shuster, (818) 713-3676 fred.shuster(at)dailynews.com THE BENTLEYS Where: The Knitting Factory's AlterKnit Lounge, 7021 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles. When: 8 tonight (all ages OK). Tickets: $5. (323) 463-0204; myspace.com/bentleys. CAPTION(S): photo Photo: The Bentleys -- Ron Thomas Suazo, left, Andrew Gonzalez, Dennis Benjamin Ibon and Chris Moore -- perform tonight at the AlterKnit Lounge, where under-21s are welcome. They'll also appear at All Star Lanes in Eagle Rock on Nov. 5. Sterling Andrews |
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